EarthDance Organic Farm School

EarthDance is an Organic Farm School that shares the craft and science of sustainable farming and resilient food systems with people from all walks of life. Our 14-acre historic farm provides a model of sustainable food production, while our Organic Farm School programs cultivate the future of our food system alongside abundant fresh produce.

Farm-Based Education:
EarthDance offers a 5 week, "Spring Training for Gardeners" program with hands-on and virtual classes. If you would love to grow your own food but don't know where to begin or have had lackluster previous attempts at gardening fruits and veggies - Now is the time to get back in the game! This program is offered on a Pay What You Can basis so that finances are not a barrier for aspiring growers to gain the vital knowledge of food production.

Pay What You Can Farm Stand & Food Donations:
At EarthDance we believe that food is a human right, and have made it our mission to make our fresh organic produce more accessible. Launched in 2021, the Pay What You Can Farm Stand is a place where anyone can shop fresh from the farm and take home produce at whatever price they can afford. In addition, EarthDance is a long-standing vendor at the Ferguson Farmers Market, offering our produce at below-retail affordable prices, and accepting SNAP and senior market nutrition vouchers. EarthDance also donates produce to food pantries and other partners serving families in need.

Healthy Food Production:
Located in a suburb of Ferguson, EarthDance grows certified organic produce year-round with regenerative agroecological principles at the forefront. More than 75 varieties of fresh produce are shared with apprentices, students in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Ferguson Farmers Market & Pay What You Can Farm Stand shoppers, local grocers, farm-to-table restaurants and more.

Community Development & Empowerment:
At EarthDance, Farm to School has been a growing part of the organic teaching farm's programming. The USDA awarded EarthDance a planning grant between 2020-2022, and together with the FFSD, the EarthDance team has been working to create and pilot meaningful programs to help empower district students in meeting community needs for fresh food access and inspire interest in healthy eating among FFSD students. One such initiative is the Agri-culinary Program, which aims to improve access to fresh, organic produce and support high school students in exploring agricultural and culinary careers. This past fall, five Innovation School at Cool Valley students spent 2 mornings per week for 8 weeks working at the farm and at the school, participating in experiential learning about food and farming. Together the group planted seeds and tended them, rebuilt their school garden, visited and helped out at neighboring farms, and spent time working in the fields at EarthDance.

EarthDance's Summer Apprenticeship Program is a full-time 10-week apprenticeship designed for those with a strong interest in farming who want to fully engage themselves in the day-to-day operations of an organic farm. Summer Apprentices are immersed in all areas of crop production at EarthDance. This includes greenhouse seeding and propagation, sowing and transplanting, preparing fields for planting, crop cultivation and maintenance, disease and pest control, harvesting, washing and packing produce. By the end of their 10-week term, Summer Apprentices are equipped with the knowledge and skill set to work entry level positions in the agricultural industry and or start a small-scale food production operation like a community or school garden.